Life and death and life

It’s a time of concern and celebration for the homeless of Hyannis and the people trying to help them.

Patriot Staff

Remembering those who have died while homeless

It’s a time of concern and celebration for the homeless of Hyannis and the people trying to help them.

Tonight, the most somber event of the year for them will be held at the Federated Church of Hyannis on Main Street at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21 is National Homeless Persons Memorial Day, and the service will “remember our homeless friends who have paid the ultimate price for our nation’s failure to end homelessness,” as a press statement from Duffy Health Center puts it.

Then on Saturday, at 22 Main St. in Hyannis, a shaft of sunlight may break through grey skies to illuminate Eve’s House, the latest residence purchased by Homeless Not Hopeless to provide a stable environment where people who have been living on the streets and in the woods can learn and practice the skills necessary for participation in the wider society. At noon, a press conference will be held at the house, followed by a symbolic sleep-out by supporters of the homeless.

“Also embedded in the presentations is a call for help, help from the community, the Cape Cod community to join hands in addressing this regional problem,” advocate Alan Burt of Centerville wrote in a press statement. “Every year it is emphasized that this is a county problem, not just a Hyannis problem and hence the importance for all the towns to become meaningfully involved.”

Homeless Not Helpless, which now has four buildings in Hyannis that house and educate formerly the formerly homeless, was on the agenda of the Greater Hyannis Civic Association Dec. 11. CEO Billy Bishop and treasurer Dick Murphy made presentations and answered questions from the board.

Over five years of existence, Murphy said, HnH “has taken 146 people off Main Street – all Cape people, many from Barnstable. When they return to Main Street, they return as customers.”

GHCA board member Deb Krau expressed her appreciation for HnH, but also her concern that it was taking buildings off the tax base, thus increasing costs to villagers. Murphy countered that the organization is saving taxpayers by reducing the costs of police and rescue operations.

Murphy and Bishop both said they want HnH to expand to other Cape communities, but its need for congregate housing requires access to a municipal sewer system. “Our dream,” Murphy said, “is to have a home for families.”